Battery housing apparatus and unmanned aerial vehicle
The present disclosure discloses a battery housing apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing body and a battery locking mechanism. The housing body is configured with at least one battery compartment for housing a battery. The battery locking mechanism is disposed on the housing body and configured to indicate whether the battery is mounted in place during a process of mounting the battery in the battery compartment and to lock the battery in the battery compartment after the battery is mounted in place.
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This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/CN2016/104368, filed on Nov. 2, 2016, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to unmanned aerial vehicle technologies and, more particularly, to a battery housing apparatus and an unmanned aerial vehicle.
BACKGROUNDWith the rapid development of the unmanned aerial vehicle technology, unmanned aerial vehicles are gradually adopted in various industries, such as civil, marine, and aviation industries.
Most small unmanned aerial vehicles use their own batteries to power the aerial vehicles. Thus, battery mounting is an important technology. If the batteries are not mounted in place, it is very dangerous. After an aerial vehicle takes off, batteries mounted on the aerial vehicle may get loosen or detached, thereby causing loss of power and crashing of the aerial vehicle. Moreover, it even poses a threat to human life and causes property damages. Thus, before the aerial vehicle takes off, it is extremely important to ensure that the batteries are one hundred percent securely mounted.
SUMMARYOne aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery housing apparatus, including: a housing body and a battery locking mechanism. The housing body is configured with at least one battery compartment for housing a battery. The battery locking mechanism is disposed on the housing body and configured to indicate whether the battery is mounted in place during a process of mounting the battery in the battery compartment and to lock the battery in the battery compartment after the battery is mounted in place.
Other aspects of the present disclosure can be understood by those skilled in the art in light of the description, the claims, and the drawings of the present disclosure.
The following drawings are merely examples for illustrative purposes according to various disclosed embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
The present disclosure provides a battery housing apparatus that indicates whether batteries are mounted in place through a battery locking mechanism, facilitates service personnel to conveniently mount the batteries, and increases chances that the batteries are mounted in place. At the same time, batteries mounted in place are locked to prevent the batteries from loosening or falling off. The battery housing apparatus is suitable for unmanned aerial vehicles.
Referring to
For example, as shown in
Referring further to
As shown in
Further, for the indicator assembly 23 to cooperatively couple with the locking assemblies 21, 22, in one embodiment, as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, referring to
For example, as shown in
As shown in
Further, the first locking assembly 21 includes a slider blocker 214. The slider blocker 214 is fixedly connected to the slider bracket 213. The locking slider 211 is disposed between the slider blocker 214 and the slider bracket 213, such that the locking slider 211 is confined to move in a dislocation direction.
The slider bracket 213 is fixed in the first battery compartment 11. For example, in some embodiments as illustrated in the drawings, the slider bracket 213 is fixed to the bottom of the battery compartment 11. The slider bracket 213 includes a first guide slot 2131 coupled to a first guide rail 201 on the battery 200 extending in a direction of inserting the battery 200 and a first open slot 2132 connecting to the first guide slot 2131. In some embodiments as illustrated in the drawings, to mount the battery 200 more securely in the battery housing apparatus 100, the slider bracket 213 is configured with two first guide slots 2131 in parallel with each other. One of the two first guide slots 2131 is connected to the first open slot 2132. Correspondingly, the battery 200 is configured with two first guide rails 201 in parallel with each other. Of course, in other embodiments, the slider bracket 213 may be configured with three or more first guide slots 2131 in parallel with each other.
As shown in
The dislocation direction of the locking slider 211 is perpendicular to the direction of the battery insertion. As shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments as illustrated in the drawings, the first battery compartment 11 and the second battery compartment 12 are disposed on two opposite sides of the housing body 1, respectively. The first locking assembly 21 corresponds to the first battery compartment 11 and the second locking assembly 22 corresponds to the second battery compartment 12. The second locking assembly 22 is the same as the first locking assembly 21 and the second battery compartment 12 is the same as the first battery compartment 11. Thus, the detailed technical characteristics of the second locking assembly 22 and the second battery compartment 12 can be referred to the description of the first locking assembly 21 and the first battery compartment 11, respectively, and will not be repeated herein.
As shown in
Further, the indicator assembly 23 includes an indicator bracket 234. The indicator bracket 234 is fixed to the housing body 1. The indicator bracket 234, the second key assembly 232, and the first key assembly 231 are sequentially nested. In some embodiments as illustrated in the drawings, the indicator bracket 234 is fixedly connected to the housing body 1 by screws.
As shown in
In some embodiments as illustrated in the drawings, the first cylinder 2311b connects to the first key 231a by screw threads. The second cylinder 2321b is fixedly connected to the second key 232a by screwing a screw 237 into one end of the second cylinder 2321b. Of course, in other embodiments, the coupling between the first cylinder 2311b and the first key 231a and the coupling between the second cylinder 2321b and the second key 232a may be implemented in other manners, such as being bonded by an adhesive substance.
To prevent the first cylinder 2311b from rotating relative to the indicator bracket 234 or the second cylinder 2321b from rotating relative to the first cylinder 2311b, a rotation-limiting mechanism is configured between the indicator bracket 234 and the first key assembly 231 or between the first key assembly 231 and the second key assembly 232. Further, the indicator assembly 23 includes at least one limiting key (2331 or 2332 as shown in
As shown in
Further, as shown in
Similarly, the second lock pin 236c and the second key spring 236b are locked in the second receiving hole 2342 by the second threaded stud 236a, such that second lock pin 236c elastically acts on the second extension 2322b. After the second locking assembly 22 is dislocated, the second lock pin 236c drives the second key assembly 232 to restore (the first operating state as shown in
The operation principle of the battery housing apparatus in some embodiments will be described below.
During the process of mounting the battery 200 in the first battery compartment 11 of the battery housing apparatus 100, the battery 200 overcomes the elastic force of the slider spring 212 in the first locking assembly 21 to dislocate the locking portion 2111 of the locking slider 211. In the process, the indicator assembly 23 is in the first operating state. The first lock pin 235c in the indicator assembly 23 drives the first key assembly 231 to restore, such that the first key assembly 231 is placed at a different height relative to the housing body 1. That is, the first key 231a is placed at a different height relative to the housing body 1. After the battery 200 is mounted in place (as show in
When the battery 200 is taken out of the first battery compartment 11, the first key 231a of the first key assembly 231 is pressed. Then, the first key assembly 231 controls the locking slider 211 of the first locking assembly 21 to dislocate to unlock the battery 200, such that the battery 200 can be taken out of the first battery compartment 11.
Similarly, the battery is mounted in place in the second battery compartment 12 and the battery is taken out of the second battery compartment 12. The specific process is not described in detail.
Referring to
For example, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Further, for the indicator assembly to cooperatively couples with the locking assembly, as shown in
Referring to
The first key assembly 931 is connected to the first locking assembly 91. After the first locking assembly 931 is dislocated and restored, the first locking assembly 91 drives the first key assembly 931 to different heights relative to the housing body 8. The second key assembly 932 is connected to the second locking assembly 92. After the second locking assembly 932 is dislocated and restored, the second locking assembly 92 drives the second key assembly 932 to different heights relative to the housing body 8.
In addition, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The indicator bracket 934 couples with the first cylinder 9311a by a D-shaped cross-section in a direction vertical to an axis direction to prevent the first cylinder 9311a from rotating relative to the indicator bracket 934. As shown in
As shown in
The operation principle of the battery housing apparatus of some embodiments will be described below.
In the process of mounting the battery 200 in the first battery compartment 81 of the battery housing apparatus 800, the battery 200 overcomes the elastic force of the slider spring 912 in the first locking assembly 91 to dislocate the locking portion 9111 of the locking slider 911. In the process, because the first locking assembly 91 is connected to first key assembly 931 of the indicator assembly 93, the first locking assembly 91 drives the first key assembly 931 to different heights relative to the housing body 8. That is, the first key 931a is placed at different heights relative to the housing body 8. After the battery 200 is mounted in place (as shown in
When the battery 200 is taken out of the first battery compartment 81, the first key 931a of the first key assembly 931 is pressed. Then, the first key assembly 931 controls the locking slider 911 of the first locking assembly 91 to dislocate to unlock the battery 200, such that the battery 200 can be taken out of the first battery compartment 81.
Similarly, the battery is mounted in place in the second battery compartment and the battery is taken out of the second battery compartment. The specific process is not described in detail.
It should be noted that the shapes of the housing bodies illustrated in
As disclosed herein, the indication of mounting the battery in place facilitates service personnel to conveniently mount the batteries and increases chances that the batteries are mounted in place. At the same time, batteries mounted in place are locked to prevent the batteries from loosening or falling off, particularly suitable for unmanned aerial vehicles.
The present disclosure also provides an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned vehicle includes the battery housing apparatus in the embodiments described above.
It will be appreciated that the described embodiments are some rather than all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as example only and not to limit the scope of the disclosure, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.
Claims
1. A battery housing apparatus, comprising: a housing body and a battery locking mechanism, wherein:
- the housing body includes a first battery compartment and a second battery compartment disposed on two opposite sides;
- the battery locking mechanism is disposed on the housing body and configured to indicate whether the battery is mounted in place during a process of mounting the battery in the battery compartment and to lock the battery in the battery compartment after the battery is mounted in place; and
- the battery locking mechanism includes: a locking assembly configured to be dislocated by the battery in the process of mounting the battery in the battery compartment and to be restored to lock the battery in the battery compartment after the battery is mounted in place; and an indicator assembly disposed on the housing body and configured to be operatively coupled with the locking assembly to indicate whether the battery is mounted in place under a control of the locking assembly, wherein: the locking assembly includes a first locking assembly corresponding to the first battery compartment and a second locking assembly corresponding to the second battery compartment; the indicator assembly includes a first key assembly and a second key assembly enclosing with each other; the first key assembly cooperatively couples with the first locking assembly to indicate whether the battery is mounted in place in the first battery compartment under a control of the first locking assembly; the second key assembly cooperatively couples with the second locking assembly to indicate whether the battery is mounted in place in the second battery compartment under a control of the second locking assembly; and each key assembly further controls the corresponding locking assembly to unlock the battery to allow the battery to be taken out of the battery compartment.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- when the first locking assembly is dislocated or restored, the first key assembly is placed at different heights relative to the housing body;
- the indicator assembly further includes a key spring;
- when the first locking assembly is dislocated by the battery, the first key assembly is restored by an elastic force of the key spring;
- when the first locking assembly is restored, the first locking assembly overcomes the elastic force of the key spring to dislocate the first key assembly, such that the first key assembly is placed at a different height relative to the housing body;
- the first key assembly connects with the first locking assembly; and
- when the first locking assembly is dislocated or restored, the first locking assembly drives the first key assembly to different heights relative to the housing body.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the locking assembly includes a locking slider, a slider spring, and a slider bracket;
- in the process of mounting the battery in the battery compartment, the battery overcomes an elastic force of the slider spring to dislocate the locking slider;
- after the battery is mounted in place, the locking slider is restored by the elastic force of the slider spring to lock the battery in the battery compartment;
- the slider bracket is fixed in the battery compartment; and
- the locking slider is supported on the slider bracket by the elastic force of the slider spring.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:
- the locking assembly further includes a slider blocker;
- the slider blocker is fixed to the slider bracket; and
- the locking slider is disposed between the slider blocker and the slider bracket to confine the locking slider to move in a dislocation direction.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the indicator assembly further includes an indicator bracket;
- the indicator bracket is fixed to the housing body; and
- the indicator bracket, the first key assembly, and the second key assembly are sequentially nested.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:
- a rotation-limiting mechanism is configured between the indicator bracket and the first key assembly or between the first key assembly and the second key assembly.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:
- the first key assembly includes a first key and a first key lock;
- the second key assembly includes a second key and a second key lock;
- the first key includes a first cylinder and a first fixing portion disposed on one end of the first cylinder;
- the second key includes a second cylinder and a second fixing portion disposed on one end of the second cylinder;
- the indicator bracket, the first cylinder, and the second cylinder are enclosed with each other;
- the first key lock is connected between the first fixing portion and the first locking assembly;
- when the first locking assembly is dislocated and restored, the first locking assembly drives the first key assembly to different heights relative to the housing body;
- the second key lock is connected between the second fixing portion and the second locking assembly; and
- when the second locking assembly is dislocated and restored, the second locking assembly drives the second key assembly to different heights relative to the housing body.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:
- the indicator bracket couples with the first cylinder by a D-shaped cross-section in a direction vertical to an axis direction to prevent the first cylinder from rotating relative to the indicator bracket.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:
- at least one rotation-limiting rib is configured on the first key lock and the second key, respectively; and
- the at least one rotation-limiting rib on the first key lock misaligns with the at least one rotation-limiting rib on the second key lock to prevent the second cylinder from rotating relative to the first cylinder.
10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:
- the first key assembly includes a first key and a first key lock;
- the second key assembly includes a second key and a second key lock;
- the first key lock includes a first cylinder and a first extension disposed on a first end of the first cylinder;
- the second key lock includes a second cylinder and a second extension disposed on a first end of the second cylinder;
- the indicator bracket, the first cylinder, and the second cylinder are enclosed with each other;
- the first key is fixed to a second end of the first cylinder;
- the second key is fixed to a second end of the second cylinder;
- the second key is enclosed in the first key; and
- the first extension and the second extension extend toward two opposite sides of the indicator bracket, and contact with the first locking assembly and the second locking assembly respectively when the first locking assembly and the second locking assembly are restored.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
- the first cylinder connects to the first key by screw threads; and
- the second cylinder fixedly connects to the second key by a screw inserted into one of the first end and the second end of the second cylinder.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
- a first receiving hole and a second receiving hole are configured on the indicator bracket;
- the indicator assembly further includes a first lock pin, a first key spring, a first threaded stud, a second lock pin, a second key spring, and a second threaded stud;
- the first lock pin and the first key spring are locked in the first receiving hole by the first threaded stud, such that the first lock pin elastically acts on the first extension;
- when the first locking assembly is dislocated, the first lock pin drives the first key assembly to restore;
- when the first locking assembly is restored, the first locking assembly overcomes an elastic force of the first key spring to dislocate the first key assembly;
- the second lock pin and the second key spring are locked in the second receiving hole by the second threaded stud, such that second lock pin elastically acts on the second extension;
- when the second locking assembly is dislocated, the second lock pin drives the second key assembly to restore; and
- when the second locking assembly is restored, the second locking assembly overcomes an elastic force of the second key spring to dislocate the second key assembly.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
- the indicator assembly further includes at least one limiting key; and
- the at least one limiting key is configured between the indicator bracket and the first cylinder or between the first cylinder and the second cylinder to prevent the first cylinder from rotating relative to the indicator bracket or the second cylinder from rotating relative to the first cylinder.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein:
- the at least one limiting key includes a first limiting key and a second limiting key;
- the first limiting key is disposed between the indicator bracket and the first cylinder to prevent the first cylinder from rotating relative to the indicator bracket; and
- the second limiting key is disposed between the first cylinder and the second cylinder to prevent the second cylinder from rotating relative to the first cylinder.
15. A battery housing apparatus, comprising:
- a housing body and a battery locking mechanism, wherein: the housing body is configured with at least one battery compartment for housing a battery; the battery locking mechanism is disposed on the housing body and configured to indicate whether the battery is mounted in place during a process of mounting the battery in the battery compartment and to lock the battery in the battery compartment after the battery is mounted in place; and the battery locking mechanism includes: a locking assembly configured to be dislocated by the battery in the process of mounting the battery in the battery compartment and to be restored to lock the battery in the battery compartment after the battery is mounted in place; and an indicator assembly disposed on the housing body and configured to be operatively coupled with the locking assembly to indicate whether the battery is mounted in place under a control of the locking assembly, wherein: the locking assembly includes a locking slider, a slider spring, and a slider bracket; in the process of mounting the battery in the battery compartment, the battery overcomes an elastic force of the slider spring to dislocate the locking slider; after the battery is mounted in place, the locking slider is restored by the elastic force of the slider spring to lock the battery in the battery compartment; the slider bracket is fixed in the battery compartment; the locking slider is supported on the slider bracket by the elastic force of the slider spring; the slider bracket is fixed to an inner bottom of the battery compartment; a first guide slot coupling with a first guide rail on the battery and a first open slot connected to the first guide slot are disposed on the slider bracket and extend in a direction of inserting the battery; the locking slider is disposed on a side of the slider bracket facing away from the inner bottom of the battery compartment, and is partially exposed in the first guide slot through the first open slot; and the first guide rail inserts into the first guide slot to dislocate the locking slider during the process of mounting the battery in the battery compartment.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:
- a second guide rail or a second guide slot is configured on a side wall of the battery compartment to extend in the direction of the battery insertion; and
- the second guide rail or the second guide slot configured on the housing body is used to couple with a second guide slot or a second guide rail on the battery to lock the battery in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the battery compartment.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:
- a locking portion is configured on a side of the locking slider adjacent to the slider bracket;
- the locking portion is exposed in the first guide slot through the first open slot;
- a second open slot and a first fixing post adjacent to the second open slot are configured on the locking slider;
- an extension portion is configured on the slider bracket at a same side with the locking slider;
- the extension portion inserts into the second open slot;
- a second fixing post is configured on the extension portion to extend toward the first fixing post; and
- two ends of the slider spring are configured to sleeve on the first fixing post and the second fixing post, respectively, such that the locking slider is elastically supported on the slider bracket.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:
- a dislocation direction is perpendicular to the direction of the battery insertion;
- the locking portion includes a guide surface disposed on a side of the locking portion facing toward the direction of the battery insertion to guide the first guide rail, and a locking surface disposed on a side of the locking portion facing away from the direction of the battery insertion to lock the first guide rail; and
- when the battery is mounted in place, the locking portion locks the battery in the direction of the battery insertion.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 29, 2019
Date of Patent: Aug 10, 2021
Patent Publication Number: 20190259998
Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (Shenzhen)
Inventors: Feihu Yang (Shenzhen), Fangming Ye (Shenzhen), Di Ou (Shenzhen)
Primary Examiner: Sean P Cullen
Application Number: 16/397,555
International Classification: H01M 50/20 (20210101); B64D 27/24 (20060101); B64D 27/26 (20060101); B64C 39/02 (20060101);